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Antoinette Oglethorpe author of the COMPASS Journal blog, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, sits smiling on a white sofa with magazines and papers spread out in front of her in a bright, minimalist room.

The Compass Journal: Navigating Careers & Leadership

Fresh thinking for forward-focused organisations

Explore practical insights, thought leadership, and real-world stories on career development, leadership, and the evolving world of work. Each article is designed to spark ideas and support you in creating a culture where people and performance thrive.

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Blog: Leadership Development

Two women wearing blazers sit on a windowsill in an office, smiling and chatting. One woman holds a laptop, possibly discussing strategies for influencing your manager. Large windows reveal a building outside.

Managing Upwards: 8 tips for influencing your manager

In my blog post, Managing Upwards: How to make progress through influencing your supervisor, I introduced the subject of managing upwards. And I emphasised the importance of ‘Seek first to understand; then to be understood.’ In my last blog post, Managing Upwards: First you need to clearly understand your Manager, I shared some ideas on

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Four people clasp each other's wrists, forming a connected circle with their hands, symbolising teamwork, trustworthiness, and unity. The background is blurred with office documents and supplies visible.

How to Build Trust at Work: Practical Strategies to Strengthen Your Leadership and Relationships

In today’s world of hybrid teams, burnout, and generational divides, trust isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s a career necessity. Whether you’re a leader managing remote teams, an HR professional designing development programmes, or an employee navigating your own career path, trust is the glue that holds it all together. It’s also one of the

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7 Actions You Can Take to Deepen Your Self-Awareness

In my last blog post, I talked about why deepening self-awareness is critical for career growth and success. Deepening your self-awareness is a lifelong effort. Researcher and author Tasha Eurich uncovered a disturbing statistic. Her multi-year study showed that 95% of us think we are quite self-aware, but only about 10-15% of us actually are.

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A large, vintage-style question mark sign with exposed light bulbs lies on its side against a dark background. The glowing bulbs evoke self-awareness for career success, casting a warm, inviting light.

Why Deeper Self-Awareness is Critical for Career Growth and Success

When I reflect on the pivotal moments in my own career, one thing consistently stands out. It wasn’t a promotion.It wasn’t a training course.It was a conversation – one where I finally understood how I was getting in my own way. Up until then, I’d been described as “calm under pressure.” But what I didn’t realise was

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A man wearing glasses and a patterned shirt gestures while speaking to a woman with red hair during a conversation about their organisations mentoring programme in a bright, casual indoor setting.

A Year in the Life of an Organisation’s Mentoring Programme

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in-house with a wide range of organisations, navigating the ever-changing world of work. I’ve seen first-hand how powerful the right training and development can be – not just in transforming individual careers, but in shaping the culture and capability of entire organisations. One area that continues

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How to Be a Brilliant Mentor: 7 Characteristics That Make the Difference

I still remember the first time I mentored someone formally. I wasn’t quite sure what was expected of me. Was I supposed to have all the answers? Was I there to fix things, or just to listen? The truth is, most great mentors start with similar questions. In today’s fast-paced, hybrid workplace, mentoring is more

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25 Powerful Leadership Development Quotes to Grow Great Leaders

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” – Harvey S. Firestone In today’s fast-paced, hybrid, and often uncertain world of work, leadership development has never been more critical. HR and L&D leaders are grappling with new challenges – retention, burnout, multi-generational teams, and a growing skills gap. One thing remains

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The Power of Storytelling in Mentoring and Career Conversations

Do you want your employees to really engage with what you are saying? Do you want to grab their emotions rather than just their logical brain? The secret is to use stories. Storytelling is the oldest and most powerful way to engage, excite and educate people. When people are inspired, they take action. That’s not

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The Importance of Growth Mind-set for Career Development

Adaptability has always played a key role in workplace success. But it seems like now more than ever, our careers require us to be constantly evolving. The pace of change is accelerating.  To succeed in any industry, and to be ready to take part in the next evolution of it, professionals must grow and develop. 

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